Lighter and method of use

ABSTRACT

A lighter with a pivoting cover is provided. The cover is manually actuated and is restricted in movement by a relatively high viscosity packing material encasing a biasing member.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The disclosure relates generally to a lighter and method of use and, in particular, to a pocket lighter that includes a cover that pivots against a high viscosity packing material.

2. Related Art

Many types of lighters have been manufactured to include features that make them more useful and/or attractive to consumers. The patent literature includes examples of lighters that include covers for protecting the nozzle from dust and other materials that might interfere with its operation. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,176,150 discloses a lighter with a manually pivoting cover the retracts at least partially into the body of the lighter. However, covers that require manual opening are sometimes awkward when holding other objects. Other lighters have been designed with spring-biased covers. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,616,277 to DeLattre-Deguy discloses a lighter with a spring biased cover. U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,766 to Hu discloses a lighter having a manually actuated L-shaped cover biased by a spring. However, such spring biased covers may be disadvantageous as the snapping action of the cover may break the tip of a cigarette or cigar in close proximity to the cover, or pinch the skin of the user depending on its construction.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a lighter with a manually actuated cover that is pivotally connected to the body of the lighter. The cover has a free end and a pivoting end which defines a chamber in which a biasing member is disposed, which is preferably a spring. The body of the lighter includes a sliding release device that releasably connects the free end of the cover to the body of the lighter. The sliding fastener is released when a switch is actuated by sliding the switch in a downward direction, allowing the free end of the cover to pivot upwardly to open. The chamber containing the spring contains a packing material having a relatively high viscosity such as petroleum jelly or grease, such that upon actuation of the switch, the sliding fastener is released, and the cover pivots upwardly against the resistance of the packing material. The packing material in the chamber retards the movement of the spring, thereby reducing the speed at which the cover pivots to open. Actuation of the switch also may be used to ignite a flame. The switch may be actuated once to open the cover, and a second time to actuate the spark generating device. Alternatively, actuation of the switch may be used to simultaneously open the cover and actuate the spark generating device.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the disclosure. The principles and features of this disclosure may be employed in varied and numerous embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lighter according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, with the cover in a closed position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the cover in an open position, showing the output for the flame;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the lighter shown in FIG. 1, showing the cover section and the upper and lower body sections;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the upper body section of the lighter shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the upper body section of the lighter showing the cover in a closed position;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the closure mechanism in the closed position as taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional and exploded view of the closure mechanism in the closed position as shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the upper section of the lighter showing the switch being actuated and with the cover in an open position;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the cover in an open position as taken along lines 9-9 of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the upper section of the lighter showing the cover in an open position and a flame being emitting from the nozzle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the Figures when taken together, there is indicated generally at 10 a lighter according to the present disclosure. As shown, lighter 10 includes a lower body 12, an upper body 14, and a pivoting cover 15. Lighter 10 includes an interior cavity (not shown) which supports a reservoir (not shown) for storing lighter fuel therein, a spark generating device (not shown), and a fill opening (not illustrated) for accessing the reservoir, each of which are known in the art. Examples of suitable spark generating devices include flint, piezoelectric, turbo, jet, and the like. Lighter 10 also includes houses a gas emitting nozzle 50 for controlling the flow of gas and emitting a flame 60, as is known in the art. The present disclosure is not limited to any particular type of gas emitting nozzle, and those of ordinary skill in the art will be able to contemplate a variety of configurations, many of which are well known in the art.

Fasteners 13 are used to connect or attach the various components described below. In the present embodiment, fasteners 13 are screws. For ease of explanation, fasteners 13 will be referred to hereinafter throughout the description as screws 13. Unless otherwise indicated, fastener 13 may be any suitable fastener such as, for example, rivets, screws, and the like, and those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize fasteners other than those listed here that would be suitable.

Cover 15 is preferably pivotally supported by lighter body 12 such that it can be moved between a non-actuated position (see FIG. 1) in which cover 15 is closed, and an actuated position (see FIGS. 2, 8 and 10) in which cover 15 is open, and in which flame 60 may be ignited and protected from wind and other elements. Cover 15 defines a hollow cylindrical chamber 17 a with a bore 17 b extending therethrough, and a free end 15 f. A tab 41 (see FIGS. 2, 5 and 8) is positioned on the underside of free end 15 f of cover 15 (see FIG. 2) to define a u-shaped region with a depression 45 on an inner surface thereof for engagement with release tab 39 (see FIG. 4), which is described in greater detail below. Opposing left and right cylindrical end caps 19, 21 are sized and dimensioned to fit snugly in bore 17 b, and are spaced apart by and operatively connected to a biasing member 23, the details of which are described in greater detail below. In the present embodiment, biasing member 23 is a spring made from spring wire and, for ease of explanation, biasing member 23 will hereinafter be referred to as spring 23. When lighter 10 is assembled, spring 23 is biased to maintain cover 15 in an open position.

When assembled, a packing material 25 may be packed about spring 23 between end caps 19, 21. In operation, packing material 25 retards the movement of spring 23, thereby retarding the speed at which cover 15 opens, i.e. it minimizes the “snap” action opening of cover 15. Suitable packing materials are non-toxic, non-flammable, sufficiently viscous to retard the movement of the cover without the user having to wait more than 2-3 seconds for the cover to reach a fully open position, and sufficiently viscous so that it does not leak from end caps 19, 21. A preferred viscous semisolid packing material is petrolatum, or petroleum jelly. Those of skill in the art will recognize that a variety of packing materials or combinations of packing materials may be suitable, which may be selected based on the foregoing characteristics.

Lower body 12 includes a central section 12 a and side sections 12 b,c which may be attached or connected to central section 12 a using, for example, fasteners 13. Lower body section 12 is adapted to support and connect to upper body section 14 using screws 13.

With reference to FIG. 4, upper body section 14 includes a first, main section 20 that includes opposing sides 22 a,b defining cylindrical bores 24 a,b therein, and defining opposing left and right sidewall recesses 26 a,b. Main section 20 also includes a downwardly extending arm 47 that is adapted to engage and connect to lower body 12. Cover 15 may be attached to side sections 12 b,c of upper and lower body 12 using screws 13 that extend through side sections 12 b,c of body 12 and into left and right cylinders 19. Any of the aforementioned fasteners may be used in place of screws 13, provided that they allow cover 15 to pivot about the centerline “C” of spring 23.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, main section 20 also includes a base 30 defining a central bore 32, which is sized and dimensioned to accommodate nozzle 50 therethrough. Main section 20 also supports switch 16 and a release tab 39 for engagement with tab 41. Release tab 39 includes a protuberance 43 on the backside thereof When closed, protuberance 43 of release tab 39 engages depression 45 of tab 41 to maintain cover 15 in a closed position.

Ribs 38 are defined in the sidewalls 22 a,b of main section 20 to provide sliding engagement of a insert 36, as described below. Insert 36 includes a bore 18 corresponding to bore 32 of main section 20, from which flame 60 extends when lighter 10 is in use. A portion of nozzle 50 also may extend into bore 18 if necessary or desired. Insert 36 includes at least one groove 40 on each outer side thereof for engagement with corresponding ribs 38 defined in the sidewalls 22 a,b of main section 20. Insert 36 may be attached to upper body 14 using screws 13.

Left and right shoulder inserts 28 a,b are sized and dimensioned to be received in corresponding left and right sidewall recesses 26 a,b of main section 20. Left and right shoulder inserts 28 a,b each include a cylindrical post 42 a,b sized and dimensioned to be received in cylindrical bores 24 a,b of sidewalls 22 a,b of main section 20. Post 42 a of left shoulder insert 28 a includes a central bore 44 extending at least partially therethrough for receiving biasing member 46 therein, the base 54 of which acts as a spring seat. Post 42 b of right shoulder insert 28 b includes a rib 48 extending perpendicularly from the face thereof for engagement with left cylinder 19 of cover 15. Left and right shoulder inserts 28 a,b may be attached to main section 20 using screws 13.

Left cylinder 19 a includes posts 19 a,b extending from each face thereof Post 19 b includes a groove 19 c for engagement with spring 23, and post 19 a is sized and dimensioned to fit concentrically within the coils of spring 46, with shoulder 19 d acting as a seat for spring 46. Right cylinder 21 includes a post 21 a extending from one face thereof and defining a shoulder 21 d and a groove 21 b for engagement with spring 23. The opposite face of right cylinder 21 includes a groove 21 c formed in the face thereof for engagement with rib 48 of right shoulder insert 28 b.

In use, as shown in FIG. 8, as the user slides switch 16 downwardly in the direction of arow “A” into the actuated position, protuberance 43 of release tab 39 becomes disengaged from depression 45 of tab 41, allowing the cover to pivot upwardly in the direction of arrow “B.” Upon release, switch 16 will return to its original position. To actuate the spark generating device, the user simply repeats the same action, i.e. the user slides switch 16 downwardly in the direction of arow “A” into the actuated position. The user's action causes the spark generating device to generate a spark, while also causing the fuel to be passed from the reservoir so that it can ignite and generate a flame 60, which is emitted through bore 18, and which will remain lit until switch 16 is released. Alternatively, the user may simultaneously release cover 15 and actuate the spark generating device simply by actuating the switch rapidly. The cover may be closed manually. It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiment disclosed herein.

Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of a preferred embodiment. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope, spirit and intent of the disclosure. 

1. A lighter, comprising: a body defining an inlet for receiving lighter fluid, an outlet for discharging a flame, and opposing sidewalls; a cover defining a hollow cylindrical chamber extending between the sidewalls of the body, a biasing member positioned coaxially in the hollow cylindrical chamber and being pivotally connected to the body, and a packing material disposed in the hollow cylindrical chamber and encasing the biasing member; a switch supported on the body and being operatively connected to a spark generating device; wherein the biasing member is biased to maintain the cover in an open position, and upon actuation of the switch, the cover pivots upwardly to an open position against the restriction of the packing material.
 2. The lighter of claim 1, further comprising a cylindrical end cap positioned coaxially between each of the opposing sidewalls of the body and an end of the biasing member, each cylindrical end cap being constructed and arranged to be operatively connected to one of the ends of the biasing member, wherein the packing material is contained in the hollow cylindrical chamber by the cylindrical end caps.
 3. The lighter of claim 1, wherein the biasing member is a spring.
 4. The lighter of claim 3, wherein each cylindrical end cap includes a post extending coaxially from a face thereof and defining a spring seat, such that an end coil of the spring is seated about the post and against the spring seat.
 5. The lighter of claim 4, wherein each cylindrical end cap includes a groove for engaging the end coil of the spring therein.
 6. The lighter of claim 1, wherein the packing material is petroleum jelly.
 7. The lighter of claim 1, wherein the spark generating device is at least one device selected from the group consisting of flint, jet, turbo, piezoelectric, and combinations thereof.
 8. A lighter, comprising: a body defining an inlet for receiving lighter fluid, an outlet for discharging a flame, and opposing sidewalls; a cover defining a hollow cylindrical chamber extending between the sidewalls of the body, a spring positioned coaxially in the hollow cylindrical chamber and being pivotally connected to the body, and a packing material disposed in the hollow cylindrical chamber and encasing the biasing member; a cylindrical end cap positioned coaxially in the hollow cylindrical chamber between each sidewall of the body and an end of the spring, each cylindrical end cap including a groove for engaging an end coil of the spring, wherein the cylindrical end caps are constructed and arranged to contain the packing material in the hollow cylindrical chamber; a switch supported on the body and being operatively connected to a spark generating device; wherein the spring is biased to maintain the cover in an open position, such that upon actuation of the switch, the cover pivots upwardly to an open position against the restriction of the packing material.
 9. The lighter of claim 8, wherein each cylindrical end cap includes a post extending coaxially from a face thereof and defining a spring seat, such that the spring is seated about the post and against the spring seat.
 10. The lighter of claim 8, wherein the packing material is petroleum jelly.
 11. The lighter of claim 8, wherein the spark generating device is at least one device selected from the group consisting of flint, jet, turbo, piezoelectric, and combinations thereof. 